Following the hearing of his case on alleged sexual abuse, Justice Sarath de Abrew left the court room without his fingerprints being recorded, creating some commotion and confusion at the Colombo High Court.

As per the procedure, Abrew was in the custody of the prison officials until the formalities were over. However, confusing everyone, he left the courtroom and climbed on to his car, even before fingerprints were recorded.

Prison officials said that they were not enforcing strict custody since Abrew was a Supreme Court Judge.

However, the Judicial Security Section complained of the matter to the presiding judge of the High Court, who called Abrew back through his lawyers.